Horse checking or unchecking device



Paten-ted Nov-6, A1894.

(No Model.) C. '0. WHEELER.

- HORSE GHEGKING 0R UNGHEGKING DEVICE.

WJIJVESSES spective view of the check rein retaining derectangularopening g3 for the passage of the ably by placing it within the hookedend of a UNITED STATES: PATENT OFFICE.

CLAUD C. WHEELER, OF FAIRMONT, WEST`VIRGINIA.

4HORSE CHECKING OR UNCHECKING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 528,577, dated November6, 1894. Application led September 1,1894. Serial No. 521,887. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUD C. WHEELER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fairmont, in the county of Marion, State of West Virginia,havevinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Checking orUnchecking Devices, of which the following is a speciication, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The objects of this invention are to furnish simple devices by which ahorse may be reined up or unreined without the necessity of his drivergetting out of the vehicle; and the in- Vention consists in theconstruction and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fullydescribed and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in side view the upperportion of a horse partly harnessed and provided with a check reinconnected with his saddle in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is apervices detached from the saddle and from the check rein. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal Vertical section of the main portion of said devices.

In said drawings, A represents a harness saddle of any suitable form towhich is attached the crupper strap a. The driving reins B pass throughthe terrets of the saddle as usual. v

When my checking and unchecking device is to be used while the horse isdriven, the check rein C is not placed within the loop of the check-hookD, but is placed in engagement with one end of a small strap E,prefersnap hook F, Fig. 2, or within the hookedend of a plain hook F2,Fig. 3, secured to said end of the strap E, but the lower or inner end dof the hook D is used to latch the strap E to the saddle while the horseis traveling. For this purpose the checking lever or hook D is placedbetween two lugs g projecting upward from the front end of asubstantially rectangular hollow frame G and is pivoted to said lugs atg2. Within the frame G there is a strap E, the latter resting upon thebottom or licor of said opening. Projecting from the central portion ofthe bottom of the frame G there is a bolt h by means of which and of thenut h2 upon said bolt, the frame G is secured to the frame of the saddleA.

To keep the lower end d of the hook D normally pressed upon the strap F,although the weight of its upper rear end will generally accomplish theobject, one end of a flat spring" k is made to bear upon the top of saidend d. The opposite end of said spring is secured at 6o k2 to the top orceiling of the opening gsin the frame G. To keep the lower end d of thehook D normally in engagement with the strap E, the latter has securedupon its top by means of rivets m2 a small plate mhaving across its 65top a vertical shoulder for engagement with the end CZ of the hook.

To permit the driver of the vehicle to uncheck the horse when he reachesa water trough or a pasture, by means of his whip, that 7o generally hasan enlargement or a knot at the point where the lash is attached to theend of the whip stock, the back point of the hook D is slotted at cl2and has two branches d3 bent forward and outwardly to form slots d4 in 75` which the driver can easily insert the end of his whip, and when inengagement therein, lift said back points of the hook D and release theend d from engagement with the shoulder on the plate m of the strap E.The 8o horse promptlyfeeling the release of his check rein, will extendhis neck forward andv downward, and draw the strap E through the openinggs of the frame G until the front end of a plate N secured on top of therear portion of 8 5 said strap E arrests it. To the rear end of theplate N is secureda hook 'n that/projects upward and forward to receiveand enter into engagement with the whip of the driver when the latterinserts it Within said hook to draw 9o the strap E backward again tolatch the check rein at the same time'that he pulls steadily upon thedriving reins B to elevate, the head of the horse. The plate N not onlyforms at one end a stop against the point d of the hook D and at theopposite end retains the hook fn., but it causes the strap E to berigid; and when it has entered the opening g3 it always presents thehook n in an upward Vposition for the easy reception of the end of thewhip of roo the driver.

When the horse is checked the rear end of the strap E can be lefthanging down upon the back of the horse as shown in full lines in Fig.1, but said' end of the strap is provided on the under side with akeeper that may be of wire as shown at e to receive loosely the crupperstrap a and occupy a position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

It is evident that the hook D can be slightly modified in appearance andornamented on top without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having now fully described my invention, I claim- 1. In a checking andnnchecking device the combination of a harness saddle, a chambered frameG secured thereto, and a lever D pivoted to its front end and having itslower end within said frame and its upper endprovided with a branch cl3on one side thereof, with a strap E having a shouldered plate m securedtothe top of its front portion substantially as described.

2. In a checking and uncheckin g device the combination yof a harnesssaddle, a chambered frame G secured thereto, a leverD pivoted toitsfrontend and having its lower end withinjsaid frame, and a spring 7chaving one end secured to said frame and the opposite endpressing uponsaid lower end of the lever D, with a strap E having a shouldered platem secured to the top of its front portion substantially as described.

3. In a checking and unchecking device the combination of a harnesssaddle, a chambered frame G secured thereto, a lever D pivoted to itsfront endand having its lower end cl within said frame,with a strap Ehaving a shouldered plate m secured to the top of its front portion, anda plate N having a hook n and secured to the top of the rear portion ofsaid strap substantially as described.

4. In a checking andunchecking device the combination of a harnesssaddle, a chambered frame secured thereto, a lever D pivoted to itsfront end and having its lower end cl within said frame,witha strap Ehavinga shouldered plate mseeured to the top of its front portion, aplate N having "a hook n and securedto the topof the rear portion ofsaidstiap and a loop "e secured to said strap in therear of the plate N`substantially as described. i

l In testimony whereof Iaflix iny signature in presence of twowitnesses.

CLAUD C. WHEELER.

Witnesses: y

G. M. ALEXANDER,

J. E. MORGAN.

